What would you like Microsoft to do? Announce their is a next Xbox by denying a rumor of DRM? Ya, I can see that going well.

They are in a tough spot, I'm surprised they gave any comment about it at all. The genie so to speak is that DRM is coming and Microsoft isn't the inventor of it and if it is true, they aren't going to be the only ones.

So far we know Destiny is DRM, now perhaps AC4 and Watch Dogs....it's getting interesting and not in a good way.

this pretty much confirms it. there is no reason to keep silent other then trying to cool the subject.

they have been planing this for sometime. the xbox is a more diverse system and will include cable tv service able to record tv programs in the back or stream to second or third displays, ability to have you paying apps or games all simultaneously. there looking at selling more subs not only for live but for cabletv, psplus like game rentals all shorts of subs that will bring in load of money for MS all trough the internet.

M$ been leaving more and more core games behind and this next step, does exactly that.

if you don't have internet or cant pay for it, you wont be as important because you wont be buying the subs anyway..

I don't see how this DRM strategy is a bad thing for gamers or MS. Think about it:

1) Gamers that buy mod chips or used games don't return profits to game makers or MS. Why should MS or developers care about loosing this market segment. It's better for MS if this segment just buys a Sony console, mods it and buys used games. This way MS doesn't loose money on the console.

2) Gamers that can afford Internet can afford new games. Why would you market to a market segment that can't afford Internet.

3) If everyone paid for new games that gives more money to MS and developers, which expands the market and incentive to make more games and invest in cone R&D. This is good for all gamers.

4) Making Internet being a required standard means that developea can create games that are just Online only. This will create better online games.

I am ok with MS doing this. I think it's good for everyone. Gamers that want to buy used gams, go with Sony. They are a drain on console developers and software developers anyhow.

@Darth - seems like you're the only one with the tin foil hat because its not just PS3 fanboys talking about this, it's EVERYONE. There are people on the Major Nelson blog saying they've only had Xboxes since they launched, and are now considering switching. It is not fanboys SL"spinning" things, unless you think fanboys are really that organized.

OMG! are you serious? or you really really need this explained to you?

The statement from Aaron Greenberg, Chief of Staff for Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft, was NOT released through Twitter, it was an official Microsoft Statement released through a company's spokeperson to gaming websites

MS may be forced to say something soon. Read the official reply again because it's not going to help them:

"We apologize for the inappropriate comments made by an employee on Twitter yesterday."

That means they now confirm it was an employee. The question is why would an employee say anything when so far everything is so secretive unless they don't like the leaks?

"This person is not a spokesperson for Microsoft, and his personal views do not reflect the customer centric approach we take to our products or how we would communicate directly with our loyal consumers."

Yet there was no denial or correction to what that employee said.

"We are very sorry if this offended anyone, however we have not made any announcements about our product roadmap, and have no further comment on this matter."

Do you really believe that a console that's not even announced yet will be affected in any real way by rumors NOW?? lol The console itself at the earliest won't be on shelves until the end of the year or more likely next year. We've seen this before things are constantly said and changed back and forth, with so many gaming blogs(the internet) there is always so much misinformation= In reality what gamers will care about is what is said when Microsoft announces the specifics about the console, everything said now is just fanboy drama nothing more.

I highly doubt that Microsoft is going to introduce an "always on" type functionality for their next console that will be implemented in such a way that unless you have a active internet connection throughout gameplay that you will NOT be able to play a game you've already paid for. Sure you may need a internet connection as some sort of sign in/DRM but I don't think it will be anymore than that. Microsoft is very smart, the xbox division is making them tons of cash so I'm sure a lot of thought is going into how to best implement this without alienating the vast majority of their fan base.

I have dealt with quite a lot of people from those who are doing pretty well financially to those who are barely making ends meet, so maybe I'm crazy but who doesn't have the internet?...or more revelant who owns a xbox now and does not at least have internet? I mean speaking purely from my work experience along with my own personal experience over the last 2 years I honestly can't think of anybody I know of who does not have some sort of internet connection. I know that as of June 2012 about 80% of Americans were at least using the internet, plus most of xbox sales come for places like Europe/UK, Canada and Australia which have over 60% internet penetration. http://www.internetworldsta... The better news is that the internet penentration percentage is much higher among those who actually own a gaming console. As for those who cant afford or don't live in areas where internet is NOT available well I doubt these gamers are really a big part of Microsofts plans for their next console, if you hate the idea of needing a internet connection just to play then just buy a ps4 and forget about xbox, I'm sure despite all of the "OMG this is the end for xbox", Microsoft's next console will still have huge sales and the games will be great for the rest of us.

1. Piracy will still be an issue. No amount of online DRM will prevent it. This move only affects the users which may purchase things legitimately, much like current DRM does.

2. True, but it's arrogant to assume that everyone has access to good reliable internet. I know living in a suburban or urban area, it may seem pretty ubiquitous, but move outside these areas and many people are still not on reliable services, if they even have access to it at all. Outside the US, it can be even worse, even in major cities.

3. Agreed, but that has nothing to do with an always on connection.

4. Developers already create games that are online only. It's required to be online to play, hence the consumer would hopefully know not to buy the game if they don't have online. In this case it's a choice, not a requirement. There is no reason to assume the games will be any better, as an internet connection is going to be guaranteed in all next gen consoles. The issue is does it need to be mandatory.

You think it's good for everyone, because you don't know all the circumstances that the consumer may have to deal with that may hinder their game playing habits as a result of a decision like this. Just because it doesn't seem like a big deal to you doesn't mean that you should ignore the many people who have given instances where it would be bad for them.

Used games are not even part of this debate, and while this move could block them, it isn't a reason to force an always on connection. There are other methods to block used games if the need were there. Even if it was the primary reason for this type of thing, it would only make piracy more appealing on the system, and believe me, something like this would likely get hacked quickly. At the very least some hacker community is going to find a way to screw up a lot of players by hacking MS just to make a point.

1. MS is pushing this info out early, before the launch, so the fans will have a few weeks to vent out their frustrations before the console reveal takes place. That way the negative shock of people learning of the machine's always on DRM will be reduced, enabling them to focus on showcasing the games and all that without them being drowned out by negative press.

2. This guy just leaked out info he wasn't supposed to yet, and now MS is going into damage contol.

3. He's just full of crap.

I'd lean towards 3 if it weren't for the constant rumors from very credible sources agreeing with what he said.

You make a good argument, but you missed my primary point- Product differentiation is a good thing. If the rumors are true, then Xbox will be a great product for people that have Internet and can afford to buy new games. That's good because it opens a market for another console to target people that don't have great Internet and can't afford new games. It's like the car market-, it wouldn't be good if every car was a four door sedan. Personally, I think it's bad that MS and Sony try to mimic each other so much. It's good to see MS try something different.

I didn't miss your point at all. Under your assumption, your saying that the competition isn't going to be targeting all those people that do have an online connection and buy new games as well. Your assuming that MS is going to have this market all to themselves.

Given Sony's announcement that is most obviously not going to be true, and even Nintendo has an online infrastructure. From a consumers standpoint, if they can get pretty much the same experience on another console without the restrictions(and believe me, a lot of consumers do understand what always-on means), then why would they pick up the one that limits their purchase?

Basically, my counter-argument is

Sony and Nintendo's system are both great for people that have internet and can afford to buy new games. This is not a way for MS to differentiate itself on the market in a positive way that is beneficial to consumers.

If other rumors are believed to be true, then it is their focus on media/casual/cable box integration which will differentiate it...much more positive, and not limiting to the consumer.

Which console do you think will be used as the default tourny machine next gen for Madden, fighters, FPS, and such when one could lose internet connection and screw up outcomes between competitors sitting right next to each other under the same roof.

And it's not just multiplayer games that are potentially affected.

Heck, if I'm playing a single player game and I finally pass a boss that was giving me trouble (like f'n Flamelurker) or I'm about to beat the game and my internet craps out, I'd be like WTF?! Noooooo!! D:

And we all know what it's like to be unable to connect to servers for extended periods and for numerous reasons (Xbox Live holiday mess, infamous PSN hack, maintenance, hot game Day One login overload, shotty internet connection, etc).

All of that sucks for online games, but we are (were) always able to play single player games or local multiplayer.

Despite this guys comments on twitter, I do not believe he was talking directly about the Next Xbox. He was probably talking about the idea of an Always on console.

Microsoft is seeing all the massive uproars the rumors and now this has caused.Even if they had this originally planned, They will not go through with it NEVER. So if i were you i would leave the "This confirms always online Xbox 720" comments at home.

If they do go through with this after all this negativity.. I will buy a fucking PS4 and i will show you the receipt. -Loyal Microsoft Fan.

I agree, but I don't think you will need a constant internet connection to game on the next xbox. You would think a company with a brand as successful as xbox has done some major research in regards to what percentage of current and potential xbox owners have internet available if they are going to require it. Given all the different internet variables such as speed, bandwidth, and drops/reliability depending on the service; logic says they will likely want users to have internet connectivity available at least to login for some sort of DRM purposes. Its funny because all the complaining is coming from folks who obviously have internet, like most xbox owners now, Microsoft knows this, but people just like to complain especially when they have an agenda.

Spot on. I also don't know anybody who doesn't have the internet & if it goes down, which mine has never done here in the UK in the last 5 years, do something else till its back on. I'm always on now on both consoles & pc, when I turn on the first thing I do is to check my friends lists so it makes absolutely no difference to me. People need to get a grip.

I really wish that people would stop saying that Microsoft planned to remain silent. I'm sorry but if someone was spreading 'false' rumors that could damage my credibility and the credibility of my company, I would have to speak up.

@cosmoracer What a complete fool. Your reasons are backed up by absolutely nothing. Microsoft already make millions more revenue than Sony through charging for basic online play and basic access to your already paid for Netflix account.

Yet does Xbox Live have a 255 Player online shooter??? Was the reason that the Xbox version of Portal 2 not coming with a free PC copy and cross play/saves/trophies with the PC version too all because of Xbox Live itself??? Did Microsoft close down more game studios than set up more in the last 6 years? Does Xbox Live have a vast Free to Play MMO on it such as DC Universe Online? And the answer to all these is, no. Not because of choice though, it is because NONE OF THESE ARE POSSIBLE on Xbox Live. The real massive blow will be if Valve and Sony shake hands at their E3 Press Conference with Steam coming to PS4 in some shape or form (even with this new Steam console coming but let's face it, this was all because of Windows 8, also made by the people at the heart of this whole discussion).

Oh but because a few people hacked the 360 that is why none of this was possible on the console and the next console with its online only will fix all this because of more profit??? Poor deluded fool.